Dear friends,

I am sorry I couldn't be here today to with you.
Instead of asking someone to deliver my complete speech, I would like to say a few words to you all as the President of the European Pain Network.

As a leader, my priority is always to fight for others and I aim to make a difference.

As a chronic pain sufferer, I have to accept the bad days, like today, that prevent me from being with you in Turin. Acknowledging the pain as part of my life means on the one hand living life to the maximum despite the pain but on the other hand, accepting that I'm not always stronger than the pain and must therefore, accept my limits.

Paradoxically, accepting limits has enabled me to actually use my abilities in a more positive and productive manner.

Being a leader who suffers from chronic pain means I'm always looking for the balance between leading the way as a representative and as a visionary and taking into consideration my physical limits. I am not a leader despite my chronic pain; rather the chronic pain is part of me and even what led me to my position as the president of the European Pain Network.

 After volunteering for a few years as a lobbyist at the Israeli Parliament, for the rights of people with disabilities, I found a new self esteem that I had lost since I was injured. I finally understood that the pain is actually much more disabling than a disability, even more limiting than my wheelchair. That made me realize how many people all over were living in total isolation due to this overwhelming illness; pain.  I was finally ready to spread my wings and begin my own project. So in March 2004 I set up the Society for Fighting Pain, the first organisation in Israel supporting the thousands of Israelis suffering from many types of chronic pain.

Since then, I have also been involved in developing the European Pain Network, made out of all the national organisations in Europe fighting to improve the lives of Europeans living in pain. In January 2005 I was elected as the president. I take this role very seriously and as a chronic pain sufferer myself, I am proud to fulfill this role.

We, the European Pain Network, want to be the voice of all those people. We want to be a unified and powerful body, aiming to make a difference for all Europeans in pain.
As some of you know, pain has a devastating effect on one’s life. Wherever one lives in Europe, all are entitled to receive the best treatment available and deserve a chance at living as good a life as possible.

The time has come for the medical world to acknowledge the seriousness of this issue and the vast amount of people afflicted with chronic pain. Our role is to not only be the voice of all those suffering in silence but to make the world a better place for the people we represent.

I do not believe in altruism, as anything I do for other people, gives even more to me. The people who turn to us for help give me the strength to continue. Since becoming active in this field, I have a reason to get up every morning and have learnt, on a personal level, to make the best out of every day.

Patients have a huge amount of power, together we can make a difference and I feel that the change has begun and we must help the wind of change blow over all of Europe, from west to east.

Today, patient representatives are being invited to speak in conferences, to write articles and to lead campaigns. This was not always the case.

By inviting us here today and by setting up a pain patient organisation himself, Professor Beltrutti has a major part in this process. Every country could do with a Diego Beltrutti!

Each one of you, patients and patient representatives has the ability to express and voice the suffering of thousands of people in similar situations. No one else understands better than you what it is like to live with your problem. You are each specialists in your field and others have a lot to learn from you.

The physicians have an important role to play in our revolution. We cannot bring about change without the cooperation of the health care practitioners and their organisations. Our power, when we join forces, is more than double and we all have a lot to learn from each other; each in their own field of expertise.

Thirteen years ago, getting out of bed was a major achievement and I never believed that I would find the strength within me to become the active person I am today. Many people when they become ill or disabled lose, like I did, their passion for life and their self belief and self confidence.

My life today is not what I always planned and is not the same as it was fourteen years ago, but illness does not make us less valuable or less capable and often makes us stronger.  We all need to not only remember that as individuals but as people who others turn to for support. Your strength is part of our joint strength as patient organisations and as an important part of the medical world.

Grazie Mille!
Thank you…

Amanda (Mandy) Leighton-Bellichach

Mrs. Amanda (Mandy) Leighton-Bellichach is the President of the European Pain Network

Articolo pubblicato il: 11/11/2006

Autore: redazione